Day 37, Monday, July 23, 2012: Today was another wonderful day at iCivics. I went on a fun adventure to drop off something for a Congressman, so that was fun to see where they had offices. After work, I went to a wonderful Tex-Mex place and met some Texans for happy hour and dinner. It was so good to taste a little bit of home!

Day 38, Tuesday, July 24, 2012: Today was so fun. We began the day meeting with a man who works for the National Archives. Charlie was so kind to meet us and discuss some upcoming projects that would be a be worked on by three separate parties, and then besides the gift of his time, he gave us the coolest tour I’ve ever been on. We saw the stacks (where they house papers in cold storage) and then we saw a vault. We saw: the first Congressional Record which included the electoral vote count for electing George Washington as president…it was unanimous; an original copy of the Texas Constitution; Women’s Opposition to Suffrage; Pearl Harbor radio map that the men plotted on as they were receiving radio signals for things they didn’t know what they were…turned out to be the Japanese planes; an original draft with mark-ups of the Bill of Rights…SO COOL!; George Washington’s hand-written speech that he gave for his inaugural address to Congress; Lincoln’s hand-written letter on his personal stationary to nominate Ulyssess S. Grant during the Civil War; Andrew Jackson’s note to Congress over the fact that his distillery had burned down; Davy Crockett’s letter asking for West Point to be shut down or altered; Jefferson’s congragulatory letter for the Louisiana Purchase; the 1964 Civil Rights marked-up draft; the original MAD comic book, and many more things. I was on cloud nine all day. That night we had our final dinner with Karon, our colleague from Baylor. She headed back to Texas earlier than we did, so we had our final iCivics and farewell dinner with her. We went to Zengo. It was excellent, I highly recommend it if you are anywhere near Gallery Place Metro in D.C. anytime soon.

Day 39, Wednesday, July 25, 2012: Today was just as good as the previous day. We went to a senate hearing that Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was testifying at! It was so cool to watch her on fire as she answered every single question that the senators threw at her. It was a wonderful beginning to a wonderful day. That night I ventured to the National Mall for the HBO Screen on the Green again. It was so fun! They showed It Happened One Night, which was absolutely hysterical and precious! It was a fun end to a perfect day.

Day 40, Thursday, July 26, 2012: Today was another fun day in the iCivics office. We worked on a few new projects and finished up others. After work, we went to happy hour together, which was very entertaining because other groups there thought we were part of theirs and a few people tried to sit at our table. After happy hour, I took a little walk around D.C. and managed to catch up with some people on the phone. It was wonderful.

Day 41, Friday, July 27, 2012: Today was great also. We got a few more fun projects to do at work. Alaina, Jeff (our boss) and I went to a great Turkish place for lunch and picked up food (so good!). Then, after work, Alaina and I went on a Moonlight Monuments tour. It was so fun! The driver told us cool stories the whole time we were in the trolley, and we got to see a few monuments we hadn’t been able to as well as see them beautifully lit up at night! It was the perfect way to end a perfect week.

Day 35, Saturday, July 21, 2012: Today was a perfect day. I woke up early and, even in the rain, got going. I headed straight to the National Gallery of Art and finished the rest of the museum that Alaina and I had not been able to see last time we went. It was wonderful. I saw paintings by: Raphael, da Vinci, Turner, Van Dyke, Van Gogh, George Bellows, Renoir, Cezanne, Degas, Monet, Matisse, Gauguin, Eugene Delacroix, Henri Rousseau, Picasso, Pissaro, Seurat, Cassatt, Manet, and many more. Honestly, I almost swooned when I entered the Impressionism rooms, and then got a little too excited when I realized I was in a room entirely filled with Monet pieces, including my favorite one, The Houses of Parliament at Sunset. It was the perfect beginning to the perfect day. I even purchased two Monet magnets in the gift shop, and showed restraint from purchasing any prints. I was so proud of myself. I stopped for a delicious street hot dog and then headed back to Foggy Bottom Metro station to meet with my two friends for the Tastes of Belgium festival!

The Belgian festival was awesome. It was even more entertaining than it probably would’ve been because of the weather that was acting like Belgium weather. It was a little bit of a mud pit at the festival, which was filled with people, beer, waffles and frites. The frites were to die for, and one of the best things of the day was the beer with the ice cream in it. It was delicious.

After we had had our fill in frites and beer, we headed to Metro Center and decided to go to Ming’s, a delicious Chinese restaurant. We all ordered an early dinner/late lunch/something else to eat besides frites and then walked to the movies. We went and saw Brave. It was precious. I recommend it no matter what age you are. It was funny and very well done.

After the movie, I decided to walk back to where we live, stopping at Whole Foods on the way and picking up a few items for dinner. It was one of the best Saturdays I’ve had thus far.

Day 36, Sunday, July 22, 2012: Today was just your average Sunday in D.C. filled with art museum hopping. I started the morning at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, where I almost stroked out yet again when I realized I was starring at a portrait of King Louis XV’s mistress (she was in my books about Marie Antoinette that I just finished reading, and I must say, looked NOTHING like I pictured her in my mind. The woman was gorgeous!) and then my day got even better when I stepped into the Salon Dore, a glided room with a painted ceiling, and on the exquisite mantel, was a clock that was OWNED and USED by Marie Antoinette in the Tulleries Palace. I almost shrieked in the museum and had the greatest impulse ever to touch it…that’s what happens when you release museum educated people into museums, we want to touch things more than the average person because we are allowed to when we work in collections at the museums we work at…it’s bad. Thankfully I was able to hold myself off and not touch it, but I did stare at it as close as I physically could get without making the alarm go off. Then, it got even better–it chimed. It still worked! It was breathtakingly beautiful, and so fun to see when I’ve been reading all about her life.

After I finished at the Corcoran, I headed down the street to the Renwick Gallery. It had some amazing Cassatt paintings and many others of artists I’ve never heard of or seen before. It was definitely worth the trip over there.

Next, I walked over to the National Geographic Museum. They had great photographs, naturally, and they had an awesome exhibit about the Titanic. They even had props from the movie, which was really cool to see up close. I even played with/learned a little Morse Code while I was in the exhibit.

After that, I stopped for a bite to eat at a tiny pizza joint and then got gelato from them before walking to the National Portrait Gallery. I was determined to see the entire museum before it closed. I did it. I saw all of it, even the part that houses all paintings being preserved. I almost asked the people working on that floor if they could just hire me so that I could keep looking at the collection when the guard kicked me out because the museum was closed. It is safe to say that it was a wonderful weekend.

Day 34, Friday, July 20, 2012: Today was just another Friday in the iCivics office. It was quite fun because I got to design all day long, and I mean all day. We also had fun discussions about juicers and the art of the juicing fad that has swept certain parts of our nation. I also got to proof-read and help send out packets for Congressmen for a hearing this coming week that Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will be speaking at. Overall, it was quite a fun day.

After work, I decided to go for a walk. I walked toward the White House, and then walked to Metro Center. I then went into Forever 21 and purchased some jeans just in case I ever decided I wanted some while I was here…really glad I purchased them. After going to Forever 21, I stopped in at Barnes & Noble because I knew that I was about to finish my book by Kate Emerson and wanted to have the next to be ready to go. After strolling around Metro Center for a while, I decided to head home before the rain hit. Really glad I did because it poured.

Today was my mom and granddad’s birthday. My WWII veteran grandfather turned 94 years old today. My precious mom went and spent the week with him. He is one of the most amazing men I’ve ever met in my life and I cannot think what like will be like without him one day, but I know that he will be of peaceful mind once he has left this earth and gone to his reward in heaven. He will once again run and dance and sing You Are My Sunshine at the top of his lungs for all to hear.

Day 33, Thursday, July 19, 2012: Today was honestly just another day like any other. I went to work at iCivics and had a blast, like any other day, but I did come prepared for the rain today. I was equipped with a rain jacket and my umbrella. Don’t worry, because I am stupid and forgot that my nice raincoat is bright red, I purchased a bright red umbrella when I was out one day and didn’t have one. I was totally prepared to be the lady in red sprinting through the rain.

After work, I came back and changed (the weather was unusually heavy because it was about 99.9% humidity and just busting at the seams to start raining again…just wanting to continue D.C.’s flood watch alert) and then I headed to Dupont Circle to meet two friends for dinner at a wonderful (let me emphasize that please) Greek restaurant. We ate and chatted for over two hours. Both of the girls I met with work at a PR firm here in D.C. and had hysterical stories to tell about what they have done since arriving at their internship as well as great discussions about what TV shows I should start watching, where to eat in D.C., what a bar class is (the ballet bar one where you get an insane workout apparently). We also decided to go to a wonderful little festival in D.C. on Saturday.

After we departed from dinner, I strolled around Dupont for a few minutes before looking up and realizing that it was about to pour…naturally I had left my raincoat and umbrella in my backpack when I came home from work. I made a hasty departure home, and made it just in time before the heavens opened and the rain came down.

For more moments and adventures that don’t make it onto the blog, follow me on Twitter @amyestone12

Day 32, Wednesday, July 18, 2012: Today we went on an adventure during work. A group of us went to a summer program and play-tested an upcoming game with the students there. It was so fun, and very exciting to see kids enjoying a new game that is just in play-testing mode. It was made even better by the fact that I was able to get ahold of someone at Samsung and they helped me fix the work-computer problems I was having. The day was made even better that afternoon when I got to watch the most amazing rain storm out the window. (I really love watching the rain!) It was raining so hard that you could barely see outside.

After work, once the rain stopped, I decided to take a stroll.

Let’s just say, I saw a lot on my stroll today…

I walked from my dorm to Renwick Gallery, then to the White House. I even got to witness Obama’s motorcade returning to the White House. I cannot begin to tell you how cool it was to see (and a little confusing until you figure out what is happening) 10 motorcycles racing down the road, with armored cars behind them (some with guys on top holding huge swivel guns), so many police cars, armored trucks and ambulance and the cars that he was in as well as the decoys. Regardless of anyone’s views about politics, anyone would say that that was really cool to see a president drive home. After watching (and waiting for the motorcade to pass so that I could cross the White House driveway) I walked to the Washington Monument, then down the mall all the way to the Capitol, then turned around and walked all the way down the other side to the WWII Memorial,

then to the Lincoln Memorial, and then, finally, home. Why I decided to walk over 5 miles tonight, I do not know–I am still sore from yesterdays walk. Probably going to regret it in the morning. At least I got to see some cool things on my way.

For more random things that happen to me throughout the day, follow me on Twitter: @amyestone12

And for some entertainment, check out where I am working this summer: www.icivics.org (I promise it’s fun even if you’re not a kid…I dare you to try it)

Day 30, Monday, July 16, 2012: Today was another fun day working at iCivics. It was especially fun because I was able to spend the majority of the day designing for them, which is definitely one of the things I love doing the most.

After work, I decided that I was going to talk a walk toward National Mall with the intention of going to the Screen on the Green later in the evening. I took a nice stroll around the Metro Center stop, went to Barnes and Noble to purchase another book by Kate Emerson (it is excellent thus far). I then stopped when I saw a sign for “DC’s winner of best yogurt,” so naturally, I went in and bought some. It was quite tasty, but I am not totally sure I would go as far as to say it’s the best I’ve ever had (personally, I’d argue that the yogurt/ice cream place in Georgetown is MUCH better).

I finally made my way to National Mall, picked out a spot on the mall near the front, and settled in to read my book until it was dark enough for the movie to begin. The Screen on the Green showed Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, one of my personal favorites. It was so fun to watch a classic with so many other people that were just as excited about watching it as you were.

Day 31, Tuesday, July 17, 2012: Today was a little bit frustrating with regarding work because when I arrived, the work laptop I use had decided that it was time that I change the password. The only problem with that is that it wouldn’t let me change the password. I spent the entire work day attempting to Google remedies for this situation, and not a single one of the hundreds of suggestions that I read was helpful…it got mildly entertaining after a while reading the ridiculous things some people had suggested to computer novices.

After work, I decided to take a stroll around D.C.. My original plan was to walk toward the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Memorial and then toward the White House, but as I was walking, I decided to cross the Potomac instead. I ended up walking to Virginia and back tonight. I walked all the way to the entrance of Arlington Cemetery, went inside and headed toward the Women’s Memorial, looked inside of that and then decided that I should walk back. I saw the exterior of the Lincoln Memorial (my legs would’ve probably given if I had try to climb up the steps) and then stopped by the Vietnam Memorial to take a seat on a bench for a few minutes before heading back home. Basically, it is safe to say that currently, my legs don’t have much feeling in them.

For more ridiculous adventures I decide to spontaneously take, follow me on Twitter: @amyestone12

Day 25, Wednesday, July 11, 2012: Today was another wonderful day in the D.C. area. After work, I headed to Annapolis, MD, to visit one of my good friends who had just graduated from the Naval Academy. If you have never been to Annapolis, I highly recommend it! It is absolutely beautiful. And for all the single ladies in the world, there are definitely a lot of young, single gentlemen there.

My friend took me around nearly all of Annapolis. We took a tour of the town (with the Jeep top down, of course), then went to the Naval Academy to look around. We parked by some of the academic halls and walked down the center walkway toward the main building (and where most of the dormitories are connected). All of the new plebes were outside in formation practicing their march for parades. He and I happen to arrive just before they left to practice, so I was able to see all 600 of them march down the center of the campus to the practice field. It was amazing how disciplined they are (and they had only been there a week). Their marching and attentiveness reaffirmed to my friend and I that I was just a little too ADHD to participate in something like the Navy or Marines. I would have been that kid always getting yelled at or punished for not standing where I was supposed to standing still enough…I just can’t do it.

After we watched them do their demonstration, he showed me around the main part of main building. We stood for a while on the balcony in the back, which overlooks the cafeteria as well as the reminder of the dorms and the bay. Next, we took a stroll around the exterior of the campus on the bay side, and into town. We attempted to eat at one restaurant, then saw the prices and promptly got up to leave. We finally found another restaurant that was on the bay and ate there. I must say, sunsets in Annapolis are gorgeous! It was beautiful to see it reflect on the water with the Chapel dome from the Naval Academy in the foreground–absolutely beautiful, and definitely one of those moments that I was kicking myself for deciding that I didn’t want to bring a camera all the way to Annapolis with me. After dinner, we decided to take a walk to a local ice cream shop (which had some of the best ice cream I’ve had in a very long time). Then we headed back to the academy to pick up the car before heading back to New Carrolton so that I could catch the Metro back to George Washington (and thankfully we arrived there when we did because I caught the last train out of there for the night).

Days 26-29, Thursday-Sunday, July 12-15, 2012: Thursday afternoon I headed to DCA to fly out for another wedding. I flew to Rogers, Arkansas for one of my best friends’ wedding. It was so much fun to see all of my friends from college again, and spend a weekend celebrating the union of two of my favorite people. It was also fun because I got to be the photographer (up to when the photographer showed up for portraits and the ceremony and reception) and one other girl and I got to do the flower decorations in the lanterns with Ball Jars inside. They looked beautiful leading up to the alter. It was one of the most touching weddings I’ve ever been to, and the reception was just a blast. We also got very tasty carmel apples for a favor (mine was delicious. It had crushed M&M’s dipped in the carmel).

On the way there, I managed to finish the second book in the series by Juliet Grey, I highly recommend this series about Marie Antoinette. It is very well written and absolutely fascinating! I then began a new book (from a different series, this time about the Tudors…the last of Grey’s books is coming out in 2013!) and it was a fantastic read as well. It was The Pleasure Palace by Kate Emerson. I never read, so to be able to say that I have read 3 books since I have been here, is pretty good. I started the second in the series by Kate Emerson, and so far, it has not disappointed either. Oh, in case you were wondering, thankfully this time getting back to D.C. did not take 8 1/2 hours from Dallas–the flight was a little delayed and then a little late, but NOTHING compared to last week’s flight adventure.

For more interesting thing that occur in D.C., follow me on Twitter: @amyestone12

Day 23, Monday, July 9, 2012: Today was just another Monday in the world of iCivics and D.C.. With no Internet access at work all day, I blew through the pages that I had to transfer from a PDF to Word document, looking for trends throughout the answers on the questionnaires. I also took a short break to take a picture of an Craigslist post that another one of the interns found–further proving (from a debate that my friends from school and I have going, that dragons are not superior to ponies…thoughts about what is beter?)

Post work, I took a stroll around the area where Metro Center stop is. I found some cute shops to look in and went to Barnes and Noble to get a new book (it’s amazing how many pages you can read on an 8 1/2 hour flight back to D.C…especially one that should’ve taken 3 1/2 hours). I also explored the exterior of the Spy Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. After heading back to our dorm, Alaina and I just settled in for the night and worked on things (she did have a more exciting evening, meeting an old friend for dinner after work).

Day 24, Tuesday, July 10, 2012: Today was another interesting day fighting the Internet system for a signal (always comical that we can’t get access and work for a company that is web-based educational games). After work, Alaina and I headed to Chinatown to meet Karon and her husband for dinner at Legal Seafood (HIGHLY recommend this restaurant). It is fantastic. It was comical at the restaurant–the bathrooms were almost unisex with a weird glass barrier between each side, then there were individual stalls/tiny rooms on each side with toilets. It was bizarre.

And to make the evening even more comical, it was POURING (and I mean POURING) outside–naturally I forgot a rain coat and an umbrella–so I got to sprint down the block to the Metro. Basically, I might as well have taken a shower in my clothes. Then once we reached our stop, I had to sprint through about 2 1/2 more blocks to our dorm. To say I was soaked is an understatement. But, it did make for a great laugh. To put it lightly–it rained so much in the 45 minutes that it was pouring that it flooded the basement of our building–no doing laundry tonight.

Ridiculous events of D.C. thus far:

Alaina shouting in her sleep “that’s my big toe!”

Sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial–fighting for our spots for the fireworks–while getting repeatedly kicked by the small children around us who didn’t know how to keep their feet to themselves

Alaina sprinting down the street after a cab, arms flailing everywhere—she doesn’t catch it, but she does make the bus behind us stop in the middle of the block

Getting caught in the rain–might as well have taken a shower in my clothes…

Carrying my ravioli in a SOLO cup to work with a rubber-banded paper towel

Dragging 3 suitcases and an overstuffed backpack across a major intersection and up to the dorm room

Leaving my phone in a cab—having Alaina track it on iCloud while I race in taxis to try to catch it. At one point I dug through a trash can (the iCloud said it was somewhere it definitely was NOT) then sprinting down the street to a corner where the iCloud said it was again (I was in my work dress and Tom’s sprinting next to all of the museums…it was classy to say the least)

Having to pay $200 to get a new key and key card for my dorm—they REALLY don’t want you to lose anything here

Buying organic soda—thinking it should just taste like Dr Pepper—it didn’t have caffeine and tastes disgusting

We went to the zoo and we literally saw a horse (we truly wondered if they were out of money and had sold the animals…) but don’t worry, we saw them on our second trip there. And we made friends with an orangutan.

For more hysterical moments that happen on our D.C. fellowship, follow me on Twitter @amyestone12

Day 19, Thursday, July 5, 2012: Today was yet another great day in D.C.. The day began with work at iCivics–and it was a very fun day filled with new and exciting assignments.

After dinner, Alaina and I hurried back to the dorm to change and head to meet Karon for dinner in Chinatown, D.C.. We ate at a really good place called Clyde’s–I HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone. It was wonderful. After dinner we ventured to Barnes and Noble where I purchased the second of the Marie Antionette (the first one was absolutely FANTASTIC!). The second one, thus far is so great also. Anyone who is interested in historical fiction about her will absolutely love it. Post Barnes and Noble, we headed to Georgetown to get ice cream for dessert. We went to Thomas Sweets, at my request, to get birthday ice cream for me! It was delicious. I got mint chocolate chip yogurt in a cone that was dipped in rainbow sprinkles–it was heavenly.

Day 20, Friday, July 6, 2012: Today was just a great day because 1) it was my birthday and 2) I got to go back to Texas (God’s Country for those of you who have not been graced by its beauty yet) for the weekend. I was a little late getting up and going that following morning due to the fact that I had been up late the night before packing and preparing my itinerary for my trip in the fall to Europe. Alaina and I had a great time at work (I was only there for a bit before my flight, but we still had a grand time). We worked on a few different assignments and both laughed at the irony that we work for iCivics, a video game website that teaches civic education, and the Internet at our work was not working well that day.

I headed to the airport (and I must say that DCA is one of the most poorly signed airports in the history of any airport! There were signs saying that Delta was to the left and everything else was to the right [Delta was to the right…it was a lie]. So, thinking that I am heading toward the correct gate for American to go through security, I got into the line for Delta and had to ask before being told I was on the wrong side of the terminal). Thankfully, I still made my flight and had time to grab a quick bite to eat prior to boarding the plane.

I was picked up by my cousins, sister and two friends at the airport, and we promptly headed to the Ballpark in Arlington for a Texas Rangers game. I cannot tell you how welcoming it was to venture home (even though it was over 104 degrees Fahrenheit). The Rangers, sadly lost to the Minnesota Twins, but almost (key word right there) came back in the 8th and 9th innings. Post-game, there was a fantastic display of fireworks paired with great music. It was nothing compared to the 4th of July fireworks show in D.C., but they were on my birthday (and therefore in honor of me being born, right?). After the game, we managed to race through the crowd to the car (with a bizarre manner, of course) and were able to navigate our way through the crowds with peals of laughter. One of my sisters’ friends who accompanied us, dubbed this walk, (which is head down, eyes forward, leaning forward and racing while not moving your body [arms especially] with any exuberant movements, while still maintaining top speed) the Rachel. My sister definitely almost got taken out by three boys who were somewhat imitating us, and was met with our resounding giggles echoing down the ramp.

And then we arrived home (which was the first time I’d ever been to my parent’s temporary housing in their apartment…we sold our house and had to be out in a week or so post the closing date…darn, I was already here…). And, sitting on my bed waiting for me was my brand new Canon 7D. It was a wonderful birthday present to myself, and a wonderful end to a perfect and fun-filled day.

Day 21, Saturday, July 7, 2012: This was the day that my cousins and I made our way to Waco, Texas (home of the Baylor Bears…and most of my family’s alma matter) for our cousins’ wedding. It was a hysterical ride on the way down I-35 toward Waco, where we had one of our group attempt to decide what our weddings would be like. With her vivid imagination, it was some of the most creative and out-there descriptions of what she thought would suit us, that many of us were crying we were laughing so hard at the ridiculousness of it all.

The ceremony was absolutely stunning, and the reception was a blast. And, all of our huge family being goof-balls made it all the better.

Day 22, Sunday, July 8, 2012: Today was just a long day to put it plainly. I woke up and ate dinner with my parents at the hotel at 8 a.m., prior to leaving Waco to catch my flight going out of DFW. My flight was supposed to board in Dallas at 12:25, we didn’t board until 1:20, which was fine because I was able to actually eat lunch before leaving. And I have never been more thankful that I ate that greasy personal pizza for lunch in all my life. We finally took off around 2:00 p.m., and we were supposed to be a little early to D.C.. That was not the case by the time we arrived. We kept circling (for a little over an hour) above D.C., and finally, the captain said a storm was there and wasn’t blowing over, so we needed to land in Richmond because we were low on fuel. So, we flew the 30 minutes to Richmond. What happened you ask? A storm hit Richmond 2 minutes, yes, TWO MINUTES prior to our arrival over the outskirts of the city with too much lightning so that we couldn’t land. We circled there for about 30 minutes before the captain came on again and said we had to land in Norfolk because we were out of fuel. It wasn’t an option no matter what the weather–we were going to land. So, we arrived in Norfolk, escorted down the runway by a racing EMS (no one really knows why they were there, but I guess that’s what they do with emergency landings). We sat there in the middle of the runway by the fire station for over 2 hours. Thankfully, we had some of the kindest flight attendants and pilots (especially in a situation like that where we are just stranded, already 2 and a half hours past when we were supposed to originally land). Basically, it was a hysterically long day on an airplane. It took 8 1/2 hours on a plane from DFW to D.C. and then 30 minutes to get off the plane. I basically traveled for 10 1/2 hours before I was back in my dorm tonight. And through all of that, we only got one round of drinks (because we kept thinking we were going to land…haha that was a funny joke) and no food. But all is well. Thank goodness for a good book and kind flight attendants and pilots.